Sammy Sartoris Friendship Walk to step off Saturday

Wednesday

Oct 16, 2013 at 12:16 PM

Cynthia Grau

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and one way to honor all the residents with Down syndrome is to take part in the Friendship Walk, one that Sammy Sartoris enjoyed for the last few years of his life. The 3rd annual Sammy Sartoris Friendship Walk and Fun Run, in memory of the well-known and popular Pontiac teenager who passed away nearly five years ago, will take place Saturday, with sign-up beginning at 12:30 p.m. in downtown Pontiac. Thirteen-year-old Drake Flanigan will be the honorary race starter. Event organiziers MaryAnn Sartoris and Lisa Martin are excited that some changes have been made for this year’s event, which honors the young Sartoris, who died from heart complications in January 2009. New additions include live music by one of Sammy’s brothers, Donnie, and raffles with tickets at $1 each or six for $5 that can be purchased at the event. “We had a lot of donations, so we’ll have a few baskets of items. Each one has somewhere between $50 and $100 worth of things,” MaryAnn Sartoris said. Martin explained that the whole purpose of the event is to spread awareness of Down syndrome, and with the quickly spreading anti-bullying movement and the “Spread the Word to End the Word” videos, people are starting to become more and more aware of people with disabilities and becoming more sensitive to the subject. “I’ve noticed, in my personal life, that children about junior high through college level have pretty much stopped using the ‘R’ word because of that campaign,” Sartoris said. “What I do notice is that it’s still being used in my generation, which makes me sad. There’s no reason to use it. We’re seeing in school age kids that they’re doing well. “The group at the high school just gives me chills to think about how well they’re doing at that campaign and how they’re recognized nationally. I’m so proud of Pontiac that they’re doing this.” Martin added, “We’re very blessed that Laura (Baumgardner) is so active with that and getting the student body involved and it definitely makes a difference. Anytime that you can do events like this to promote awareness in trying to make everybody realize that kids with disabilities are maybe a little different, but they’re similar, also. They do a lot of the same things everybody else does. It just takes them a little longer to learn. A lot of awareness makes a big difference.” They both agree that this event is a chance to bring people with Down syndrome together with people who don’t to create friendships. “When I talk about the friendship walk, I always add, ‘Friendship can start with a walk,’” Sartoris said. The pair is thrilled that, along with Peers in Action, the PTHS football team and cheerleaders are joining the walkers and runners. The route will be dotted with facts, education and awareness signs to teach people more about Down syndrome. This event hits close to home for the Sartoris and Martin family, and the youngsters are always ready and excited to participate. Cori and Jamie Martin, daughter and son of Lisa Martin, were good friends with Sammy. “It makes me feel good to know that other people are getting included,” Cori Martin said. “My favorite part is when they play music and I like having all my friends walk with me,” her brother added. Sammy’s niece and nephew, Maria and Marcus Long, are also ready for the event. “It makes me feel good to remember and honor Sammy,” Maria Long said. Her brother, who spent more time with Sammy and who is now very close to Jamie Martin, who also has Down syndrome, said, “Being around Sam taught me to be patient with kids with disabilities and that they shouldn’t be treated differently than any other kid. You shouldn’t exclude them from anything.” All proceeds from the event go to the Livingston Area Down Syndrome Society. The pair says the goal every year is to make a little more money than it did the previous year and to expand the event to include new things. They also said that family and friends always do a lot of the footwork to make this event happen and it’s very appreciated. “We really count on the community support and the community has been very supportive. It’s a good feeling that his memory is living on because it’s a big fear of parents when they lose a child, they will be forgotten,” Sartoris said. Martin added, “Nobody could forget Sammy. This is a great testament to him because he was such an amazing kid.” “He was so fun,” Jamie Martin added.

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